The short answer to what's wrong with America's criminal justice system is that we put too many non-violent offenders in prison for too long. And, when they get out, most are unprepared to rejoin society in a way that keeps them from going back.

Texas saw the problem back in 2007 and enacted reforms that have trimmed billions in prison expenses and coincided with falling crime rates. Texas now stands as a national example for how to be, as Sen. John Cornyn recalled last week during a stop at the federal prison in Seagoville, tough on crime and smart on crime.

Other states have made similar reforms, and for years conservatives and liberals in Congress have tried to change the federal system, too.

Much to his credit, Cornyn has been a leader in this effort. Last week, he introduced legislation that addresses half of the problem and it deserves wide support.

The bill would change the way inmates spend their time in prison to better prepare them for when they get out. It's a smart bill, because as Cornyn also noted: Almost everyone in prison today will eventually get out. It's in everyone's interest that when they do, they're ready to stay out.

The bill would do something new: Every inmate would be rated according to his or her risk of recidivism. Inmates would then be given opportunities to learn skills or seek help that would lower the chances that they'll return to prison. The reforms would target low- and moderate-risk inmates, and also tighten partnerships between the government and community groups that already help former inmates stay out of prison.

Dallas native Keidrain Brewster met with Cornyn inside the Seagoville prison near Dallas last week and came away impressed. Brewster said he spent 13 years in a Texas prison before getting out four years ago. He's since built a business and written a book about his transformation, From the Rec Room to the Streets.

That's a kind of success story Cornyn hopes to write in the federal system, which is why we support his bill.

The shortcoming of the bill is that it doesn't including sentencing reforms, which could reduce the number of non-violent offenders serving long sentences. This shortcoming has led some reformers to oppose this bill and companion legislation that passed the House last week.

The sentencing reforms are critical. But opposing this bill is not the right answer. To pass the broader bill, the GOP would need to split its membership in both chambers and rely heavily on Democratic votes. Even then, the bill would face staunch opposition from Attorney General Jeff Sessions and a potential presidential veto.

We'd prefer the GOP leadership was bolder and pressed forward a better bill. But even so, the Cornyn bill represents progress. Liberals and conservatives alike should seize it while they can.